AN: Team Mikaelson searches for the next potential hunter and Bonnie intervenes on Kol's nightmares

Songs for the chapter

Zombie -by Miser

Devil or Angel -by The Clovers

A look into Kol's mind causes a shift in Bonnie's perspective of him as she attempts to spare him from the hunter's curse. I like how it's flipped and she becomes the one comforting him

~Kol hallucinating~

10 pm

"You gonna kill me now?" Jeremy Gilbert goaded. "I guess I deserve that. But then maybe so do you. She's a tight little package. Enough to drive any man crazy," he leered at Bonnie, standing close to her cheek while she cradled Kol's face in her hands. "You're only gonna hurt her, Kol. Might as well get it over with,"

"Stop it!" Out of the coffin, Kol began to pace and Bonnie just watched him with obvious concern. Jeremy wouldn't shut up.

"There's no reward with Bonnie. She resurrected me and she still wouldn't give it up. You'll have to take everything you want, just like I did," Jeremy smirked and put his arms around Bonnie from behind, under her shirt, feeling up her chest. Bonnie didn't seem to notice, she only regarded Kol with that look of concern.

"Stop what? I'm just trying to-"

Kol covered his hands over his ears. "Shut up! You were a beast! I'm nothing like you!"

"Kol, calm down, it's me,"

He stopped pacing and peered at her when he heard Bonnie's voice. Is it really you? Or is this another trick?

"It's ok," she said as she walked up to him, putting her arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around her waist. It smelled like her, her touch was gentle and she was as soft as he remembered. She was warm, inviting, and comforting.

He squeezed her in his arms. "I don't want to hurt you. You shouldn't be here," he whispered.

"I'm here to help. In any way I can. I'm so sorry this happened to you,"

For some reason, he heard Jeremy's voice speaking to him. That angered him.

"This is your fault!" Kol hissed sharply.

He stepped away, baring his fangs, and was now looking into the eyes of the wretched boy, who raised a cocky brow and his hands in a query. "What are you gonna do about it?"

He flashed forward and sunk his fangs into the boy's neck, only his anguished crying out became Bonnie's whimpers. What the hell?!

He looked down and Bonnie was on the ground, in tears with a gaping neck bite.

"Bonnie!" He crouched down and reached for her but she slapped his hand out of the way.

"You dick, I'm trying to help!" She snapped.

"See what I mean," Jeremy stood above them, to the side, observing and judging the scene. "You're only gonna hurt her. You deserve to die,"

"Shut the hell up, Gilbert! I need to think,"

"Kol you're hallucinating Jeremy! I'm Bonnie, dumbass!"

Hearing her voice drowned out Gilbert's loathsome tenor. He took her face in his hands. "I told you to leave,"

This was exactly why he'd decided to release her. With the hunter's curse plaguing him, he couldn't trust that he wouldn't unintentionally hurt her. He didn't know who was haunting him, whether or not Bonnie was actually real. If she was, she'd turned out to be a lot more stubborn and naive than he'd anticipated. It was her damn impulses that almost got her tormented by that which tormented him now.

She held his face as well, tears burning in her stare. "Kol, I know you don't want to hurt me. And I'm sorry,"

"I don't blame you for this less than desirable situation we've found ourselves in,"

In fact, he blamed himself for not giving her more clear instructions on how to deal with the hunter that sprang up upon them.

"That too. But I meant I'm sorry for this,"

In a move too quick for him to defend against, Bonnie once again snapped his neck. The world faded as his eyes closed and he keeled over in her arms.

~Cleaning up her mess~

Bonnie laid him back in the coffin and then lifted his legs, fitting him snugly into it before she flashed upstairs to get Elena. "Come with me,"

Elena huffed and stood up slowly. "What do you need me to do?" Then she noticed the wound on her throat. "Gross, what happened to you?"

Bonnie scowled before grabbing her and zipping back downstairs and into the basement. She dipped the dagger into the vial of white oak ash before she handed it to Elena. "You want me to dagger Kol? Isn't he your boyfriend?"

"What do you care? Just do it, Elena,"

She shanked him slowly and watched as the graying and veins seeped all over his skin. Bonnie grabbed and drained a blood bag before she closed Kol's coffin.

Upstairs she compelled Elena to refrain from spilling the beans about Kol being daggered for the meantime before she was summoned home by her father.

"Dad, I'm taking Elena home so the Originals don't kill her,"

"Putting yourself between that girl and her vampire problems again is just another way you endanger yourself. Get home, your mother is here with Professor Shane. We need to have a meeting," Rudy disconnected before Bonnie could utter another response.

"Come on, we have to go," Bonnie sped the doppelgänger home and was about to leave her on her doorstep when Elena spoke again.

"Bonnie, before you go…"

"What?!" She snapped.

"I'm not compelled, I've been on vervain. But I get that you're so beyond pissed with me. There isn't anything I can do to take back all the shitty ways I've been a friend, since the whole vampire thing became a part of my life,"

Bonnie's glare shifted as she listened.

"I can't help who I fell in love with, no matter how hard I've tried to fight it. I love him, I do but that doesn't mean I don't love you still. It's like with you and Kol,"

Her glare darkened at that. "Kol and I are nothing like the two of you,"

Elena stepped forward, encroaching Bonnie's personal bubble. "But you are! You care about him even though you don't want to, that's why you had me dagger him and you don't want anyone to know. And he cares for you. That's why he killed Professor Shane. I don't know what happened today but it's clear you'll both do anything to protect each other,"

The baby vampire sucked in a breath before she slowly blew it out. Elena was in need of a sharp reminder that she should really mind her own business; she was no longer considered a friend. Bonnie wasn't here for a heart-to-heart.

"First of all- and not that it's any of your business but you do remember that vampires can't dagger Originals or they'll be killed right? That's why your boyfriend, you know the one who killed me in cold blood, the guy that you love couldn't shank Elijah with it. I don't wanna die because I had to dagger Kol. And second, if Klaus finds out that you know that Kol's out of commission, he's gonna come for you. And just so you know, Kol killed Shane because he's a madman on a mission. Why else was he under a protection spell? It has nothing to do with our relationship, it's not even like that."

Elena cast a stone-faced glare down at Bonnie. "That's what I kept telling myself,"

Silently, Bonnie took a step back. It equally pained and annoyed her that she didn't sense a bad aura coming from Elena or she might have torn her apart. The blood of the wicked was too satisfying to not spill because it was akin to justice being served nice and cold. Only since Elena didn't have that black aura going on, that meant the girl genuinely believed she was trying to do the right thing she'd set out for. Ignorance was bliss in her case and Bonnie was sick of it.

"Don't get yourself or your boyfriend killed, Elena. If you tell anyone what happened today, there'll be nothing and no one to save you guys,"

Without another word, she was gone with a light whoosh of air fluttering Elena's hair.

~Professor Shane round two~

Professor Shane had resurrected, which according to Bonnie's parents, his death at the hands of Kol was a move that was calculated because Shane anticipated he wouldn't want the cure found for his own superstitious reasons, as well as a way to keep Bonnie from being cured of her vampire affliction. That was the way he spun it, and though those concerns indeed held much merit, Kol claimed that wasn't entirely true. To Bonnie's parents, he had ensured Bonnie's safety with their cooperation, however, with Kol he had threatened Bonnie's life which sent him over the edge.

Which one was true remained ambiguous, at least up until the hunter attacked Bonnie. That certainly earned Kol the credibility he needed, at least in Bonnie's eyes. Shane was, after all, the one commissioning the hunters.

"I'm already using black magic, that's how I got my powers back," Abby was getting noticeably frustrated with Professor Shane, Bonnie perceived as she entered her home.

"Expression is the only way you can do the spell," he insisted.

Bonnie flashed into the living room, grabbing the instructor by the throat, and snarling with her vampire form.

"Bonnie! Let him go!" Rudy cried.

"He sent a vampire hunter after me!"

"You said she'd be safe if I worked with you!" Abby squeezed a fist, magically strangling him.

"He wasn't supposed to go after Bonnie!" Shane choked out. "Just an Original," Abby loosened her grip. "I'm guessing Kol took him out and he's hiding away, right?"

Bonnie shook her head, her writhing veins fading. "I did. And Kol is off trying to find another hunter in the next ten hours before the crazies set in. He wanted to come to you, only he would've killed you again. So I'm here to tell you, if you want to keep living for whatever crazy agenda you've got going on, you'll tell me where to find the next hunter. Because if Kol doesn't kill you again, I will," the vampire veins swirled again. His aura didn't feel dark, perhaps misled was the way to describe the feeling he gave Bonnie. Either way, it didn't incite her bloodlust and she didn't know if killing could be justified. She only knew she had to free Kol and getting Shane to cooperate was the first step in doing that.

Rudy gasped. "Bonnie, what's gotten into you?" He asked in a low timber. He was visibly shaken at the beast he witnessed manifesting within his daughter. The horrors of the supernatural world were likely the reason he chose to thrust himself into his work outside of Mystic Falls, only he was back now and deep in it. She was ashamed to have to subject him to her monstrosity.

"If Kol dies, his death will take out Bonnie too," Abby explained to Rudy with wide eyes.

"Dad, I don't want anyone else getting hurt," she glowered at Professor Shane. "Tell me who the next hunter is,"

He shook his head. "I can't. It's the only way to ensure my survival,"

This guy was a fucking opportunist! He was using her parents. Kol was right. Dammit! She hated when he was right, he used it as cause to be even cockier.

"But I'll take you to him. I can even keep him from targeting anyone else you care about. But I'm gonna need your help with that,"

Rudy scoffed. "No. You're not using my daughter for any more of this sick plan you have,"

Thank you, Daddy! He was finally seeing through the instructor's bullshit.

Abby called out a Latin chant and both Shane and Rudy fell into a slumber, with Bonnie catching her father and laying him on the couch. "Bonnie, you killed a hunter?" Abby asked, the worry prevalent in her eyes, the dark veins framing her face more prominent with concern.

"I almost did, but Kol finished him off so I wouldn't be stuck with the curse," Bonnie was near tears now. "And Klaus has him daggered, the curse wasn't supposed to take effect for twelve hours but I think somehow being daggered made it come on stronger and faster. We have to help him, Mom, he's my mate! We have to do something!"

Kol would spend decades daggered in the coffin, likely being tormented with nightmares where the hunter haunts him. It would be enough to drive him insane once he finally was freed from his affliction. Bonnie felt an intrinsic need to spare him the fate that inevitably cost her the eternity part of her eternal mate bond. She couldn't allow herself to be without him and the tension between them wasn't even close to being resolved. This felt all kinds of wrong.

Abby nodded her head slowly. She understood the bond they'd shared was strong, too strong to bear alone. It was crushing and taxing on her heart, Abby didn't wish this for her daughter. She could only hope Kol would be grateful for the things they would have to do to wake him from his slumber.

"Stay tonight," Bonnie pleaded.

"I'm not going anywhere. We'll figure this out first thing in the morning,"

"And don't tell Elijah. The risk of this getting out doubles with anyone who finds out," Bonnie added to which Abby agreed.

Rudy and Shane would slumber through the night, in order to keep Rudy safe and Shane from coming up with another deceptive scheme.

She went up to her room and as soon as she closed the door, Bonnie bared her fangs and shoved an intruder against the door, squeezing their windpipe.

~Klaus, the intruder~

Klaus bared his fangs and shoved Bonnie against the opposite wall, with his own chokehold. Then his hybrid visage faded into a grinning human expression. "It's just me, little witch,"

He released her and took a step back. "I must say, I do commend your loyalty and commitment to getting Kol back on his feet again. One might even begin to think you're developing affections for him,"

Her indecisive teenaged attitude was almost endearing and damn near predictable. She couldn't stand Kol yet when Klaus was nearby and then he was her hero, her biggest protector, and confidante, holding all the glory in her eyes. Why she toyed with Klaus in that way irked him to no end, though it intrigued him nonetheless.

"You are the last person I'd ever talk with about that!" She hissed. "What the hell are you doing in my room?"

"The white oak wood is now ash,"

"I know that. Now I don't have to worry about the hunter coming after Kol while he's out of commission,"

A somewhat remorseful look slithered over Klaus's features. "Now that the last of the white oak stake has been burned, the hunters won't be targeting Originals since we can't be killed,"

Bonnie's eyes widened in horror. "This was your plan all along, to send hunters after all the other vampires?! Now I'm a target!"

The little witch thinking she was a target was telling of the extent to which she distrusted Klaus. He was the Original Hybrid, there was no way he'd let harm come to anyone he felt was worth protecting. Of course she didn't understand he meant to protect her, she was under the impression he only wanted to possess and bed her. Not that she was entirely wrong, only she wasn't entirely right either.

"The fact that you're a vampire, Original or not, makes you a target. I have a plan and I intend to stick to it. You're protecting Kol by posing as the one haunted by the curse; it would be more believable if I kept you out of the way. I'll see to it that the Professor commissions another hunter. In the meantime, you're coming with me,"

Panic and horror filled Bonnie at that moment. If Klaus took her off with him, she couldn't anticipate what he would do, having already compromised her integrity with that seductive kiss earlier- wait, there was nothing seductive about it! He was as good as a predator, preying on her for his own personal gain in a bid to outdo his brother. She could not let that happen! I will not!

"I don't trust you for shit!" She seared a burning glare at him. "And I'm not going anywhere with you. MOM-"

The stubborn little witch being difficult to reason with made it easier for Klaus to take matters into his own hands.

Her attempted scream was cut short by Klaus clamping his hand over her mouth and in a flash, they were gone.

~Shift to Abby's perspective~

Abby was downstairs on the phone with Elijah, when she heard a short, muffled yell. She rushed up the stairs and burst open Bonnie's door. "She's fucking gone! He took her!"

"Would that be Mr. Saltzman or Niklaus?"

"Klaus is the only one besides Kol who has an invitation,"

"Abigail," Elijah said slowly. "I expect they'll be along shortly. Typically I'm not inclined to agree with Niklaus forcing reluctant guests that are supposed to be our allies, but since the white oak has been destroyed, this may be for the best. The hunter won't target Originals since he'll have no white oak. If Bonnie isn't in sight, the hunter will focus on the other vampires in town,"

Abby's heart sank at that. "Now you think of that?! Elijah, what the fuck?!"

"You must know how deeply I've come to regret this particular survival move. The last thing I wish to do is create any more danger for your daughter. The amount of distress any harm unto Bonnie would cause you pains me deeply,"

"I'll have to talk to you later," Abby ended her call with Elijah and scrolled through her contacts. She paced as she made another call.

"Well, well. What can I do for you Ms. Wilson? You do go by Wilson now, right?"

"Shut up, Lucy! I need a favor," Abby snapped.

"Of course you do," Lucy remarked. Then she went on a small monologue about how Abby only ever calls when she's in a supernatural bind that she got herself into until Abby interrupted.

"This is family! It's Bonnie,"

Lucy got quiet then. "Bonnie?"

"Yes, my teenage daughter, that you almost helped that vampire bitch fuck up when Klaus first came to town!"

"What do you need me to do?"

~Under Mikaelson captivity~

As soon as he heard Klaus zip through the front door of the mansion, Elijah sped to the guest room he'd heard him halt in. Sure enough, he had Bonnie in his grasp.

"Let go of me!" She cried, squirming out of his arms. "I'm sick of you always-"

Elijah zipped into the room, pinning Klaus against the wall with his arms behind his back.

"Miss Bennett is our guest in our home. You will not put your hands on her, nor will you threaten her. Do I make myself clear?" Before Klaus could answer Elijah snapped his neck. Bonnie was indeed grateful for that, she'd be in bed by the time he came to.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I killed a hunter so Klaus thought it would be a good idea to keep me locked away,"

"And why did you kill a hunter?"

"He went after my mate,"

Kol had protected her, at a time she needed it most. There was honor in that. Being free of the sire bond, she could see that his heart was in the right place. For the first time, Bonnie accepted the idea that Kol actually had true feelings for her, though accompanying that revelation were her own feelings for him that she couldn't fully discern, she was only positive that she would do whatever she could to protect him from there on out.

Elijah studied her carefully then he inched closer, stopping. "Kol has no doubt selected a worthy mate. Where is my brother?"

"Trying to find another hunter in the next ten hours,"

The time was 11pm.

~The Bennett household~

Shift to Abby's perspective since Kol and Bonnie are incapacitated at the time

2 am

Abby woke up to the sound of a pounding on the front door. She opened her eyes and looked at the time on her cellphone, noting that there were multiple missed calls from Elijah. She growled. "Go away, Elijah,"

The pounding on the door didn't stop. Then she heard Lucy yelling. "Abby, I'm bout to leave, I ain't trying to be out here all fuckin night!"

"Lucy!" Abby got up and dashed downstairs, swinging the front door open. "Get in here, and lower your voice!"

Once inside, Abby instructed they were not to wake Rudy under any circumstances and they were each going to cast a glamour and illusion spell, in order to effectively threaten Professor Shane. Lucy would be in disguise so her true identity wasn't revealed to Shane and Abby and Lucy would use their magic to exploit his fears.

Abby shook Shane awake. When he opened his eyes, he looked down and noticed he was tied up. He sat up with a gasp.

"Abby, what's going on, what are you doing?"

She sat back on the chair she'd pulled into the living room while Lucy sat quietly on her own chair. "I've been doing a lot of thinking. There isn't anything I need you for since my daughter's already completely fucked, double thanks to you," she breathed deeply. "So, I've decided. Since Bonnie is going to die soon, you're going to die first," she gestured to Lucy. "My friend here is going to help me figure out all your secrets before you're laying with the flowers,"

"I'll tell you everything you want to know! You don't have to do this, we can work together. Abby, come on, I'm on your side!"

"Really? Then tell me who the potential is,"

"We need to make a deal,"

Abby used her magic to silence him.

"This is boring, let's do this already," Lucy closed her eyes, activated her magic, and began penetrating his mind. "A wife and child,"

"We already know that. What else?"

"He's got archives of information he's collected on Bonnie and her friends. He's been tracking them ever since the Original Hybrid came to town. There's a list- he's fighting me, Abby,"

The witch joined her cousin in releasing more magic to open up Shane's mind but his blocking methods were more resilient than Abby had ever witnessed. She noticed Lucy's nose bleed first.

"Hey," Abby called to her cousin.

Lucy thrust her hands up and restrengthened the spell. "I got this, Abby! He's not gonna get away from us,"

Abby felt a shift in the energy of the atmosphere. Sensing Bonnie, she rushed to the front door, only no one was there when she opened it.

~Whitmore college~

2:40 am

It had taken Bonnie ten full minutes of nonstop speeding to get to Whitmore and force her way into Professor Shane's office. She had overheard enough, overhearing Abby and her witch companion digging into his mind to discover that he kept files on Bonnie and her friends since Klaus arrived in town. There had to be something in his files and archives that laid out a pattern of who and when the hunters were. Or at least the potentials.

Sure enough, she found a file on the hunter she'd almost killed earlier. His name was Connor and up until that point, his last meeting with Shane was Tuesday, April 27th, he'd killed fifty-two vampires but the tattoo that was the map leading to the cure only extended from the back of his hand to his forearm. It was doubtful that he'd killed any other vampires since then and furthered his mark.

Bonnie kept sifting through the files and came across a file on Matt that had been circled and the notes that he was able to view the hunter's tattoo was small but surely there. There was also one of Jeremy. She shuddered thinking of him and how Kol had likely hallucinated him earlier. She still wasn't sure who exactly killed him, only she knew Elena was planning his funeral that Saturday.

So Matt and Jeremy were the next two hunters, only Jeremy was no more so Matt would have to do. Bonnie hated to drag him into this, though she supposed being a potential hunter, being drawn into vampire business was inevitable. "Looks like you're our unlucky winner, Matt," she muttered to herself.

"Bravo little witch," Klaus said from out of nowhere, bringing his hands together in a slow clap.

Bonnie looked up and glared at his smirk. She was epically fucking sick of how he kept sneaking up on her, trying to control her and manipulate things to his advantage. She closed the file and her vampire veins swarmed frantically over her dismayed features as she stepped around the desk. "Klaus, I am not in the mood for your shit right now," she growled, balling her hands into fists.

Taking that as a challenge, Klaus stalked over to her with his own beastly mug and fangs hissing from his lips.

"I wasn't in the mood to leave the comfort of my own bed and tail you, but here we are, aren't we?"

The duo each glowered as they approached one another.

"You are not going to hurt him," she stated, standing tall.

"If that's what fits my agenda, you can bet your ass that is exactly what I'll do," Klaus replied with a monstrous smirk.

Shaking her head with palpable indignation, Bonnie howled an ear-shattering shriek before she threw a right hook.

~Back at the Bennett home~

"When he wakes up, we'll try again," Lucy said, cracking her neck.

"Lucy, he can't be compelled. Stop wasting your magic, I have a better idea," Abby insisted. She pulled out an athame. "You wanna do the honors or me?"

Lucy narrowed her eyes. "Uh-uh, you ain't stabbin me! Whatchu need my blood for?"

Abby rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Girl, nobody wants your blood, this is for him," she sighed. "We just need Bonnie's blood. If he's consumed vampire blood, he'll become the hunted if he dies, right?"

"Then we'll know who he's trying to avoid or probably take out," Lucy agreed. "Ok let's do it! I'll play Bonnie. Wake his conspiring ass up!"

~Shane's office~

2:45am

Klaus dodged every swing Bonnie took with ease, letting her further frustrate herself by expending her energy. When Klaus grew bored of that, he pinned Bonnie from behind, positioning one hand on her chin and the other her forehead.

"Remind me again, little witch. You've only had your neck broken when you died your human death, right? I can assure you, a broken neck hurts just as much when you are a vampire as well." He hissed into her ear, tightening his grip in warning. "You don't trust me, that much is clear. But you're running off to your inevitable death. I can't have Kol slaughtering the residents of Mystic Falls over your foolish impulses, I'd have to leave him daggered for longer than Finn, maybe even forever. He is dangerously attached to you,"

Her heart sank. That wasn't at all what she wanted, all she was trying to do was make sure that Kol was sound of mind, it was the only absolution she could reconcile within herself. Then her whole dynamic with him would be crystal clear.

But what about Matt? He absolutely hated the Originals for the shit Rebekah and Kol tried to pull at the ball. It made sense now that he was a candidate for a hunter, with how much he hated vampires. Would he hate her too?

"What are you planning, Klaus?!"

"To see if Matt's potential as a hunter has any merit. All he has to do is make his first vampire kill and Kol will be back in your arms,"

Bonnie finally squirmed free. "What's the catch?"

Klaus grinned. "How about Damon Salvatore as his first target?"

She scoffed. "Try again, Matt wouldn't do that to Elena,"

"Oh, but he'd have no choice but to defend himself to the death if I compel Damon to attack him,"

Bonnie slowly shook her head and it became clear Klaus was running out of patience. "Or I can compel your blonde friend to do it. What was her name again? Not Caroline, but Alexis?"

She narrowed her eyes then realized who he was referring to. "Lexi ?! You leave her out of this!"

"If I can trust your obedience to stay out of the way, you can rest assured I'll send Damon after Matt. However, if I have to come chase you again, you may find yourself short a particular blonde." he shrugged with nonchalance. "Or two. Which will it be, you ask? Do you care to stay tuned and find out?" He smiled that menacing grin.

Emotionally backed into a corner, Bonnie sunk to the floor in disbelief, letting out an exasperated breath. She couldn't let anything happen to Care or Lexi. And though Elena was shit at being a good friend, she'd made it clear how she'd felt about Damon. It would crush her to lose him. The fact that it was Damon made the decision all the more simple. He had made his own bed countless times on his own with the path he often chose to walk, and she supposed it was his time to lay in it. Good thing Elena was no stranger to grief, as sad as it was. Bonnie wondered if this would make Stefan into a Ripper again since the guy clearly couldn't live without his brother.

"Damon," she said softly. "I pick Damon, send him after Matt."

Klaus smiled. "Very well, little witch," he crouched down next to her and sighed. "My initial plan was to find someone from that bar you and Rebekah choose to frequent. I would've turned them and you would have been guilt-free, with that unique ability you have to scope out a worthy kill. But, I rather like it this way better. It seems as though being so attached to your humanity, you might eventually forgive Elena and Damon for their crimes against you. Placing you in danger, treating you as an afterthought. I bet you're feeling sorry for her now, aren't you?"

She pierced him with her emerald glare. "I hate you," she whispered.

Klaus accepted with a small nod. "With a passion, I gather. Fortunately, we won't have to worry about you switching sides now. Your defiance most definitely incited my imagination. Well, shall we?" Klaus took her arm and stood up. He returned her to the mansion in minutes, locking her inside a different guest room from the outside and confiscating her cellphone as well. Klaus gave his security and hybrids specific instructions to call him if Bonnie caused any trouble.

She waited about ten minutes after she sensed Klaus leave the building before she started banging on the door. It would wake Rebekah or Elijah and they would assist. "Let me out!"

Someone banged on the opposite side of the door. "Stop that! The Originals aren't here. You're just making unnecessary noise so shut up,"

How rude! "I just want to see my boyfriend and I need blood,"

The door opened and Bonnie was surprised to see Cruz Torres from school. He was always so sweet to everyone, and he was a human! What was he doing under Klaus's thumb? Or wielding a crossbow pointed directly at Bonnie's chest?

"Cruz?"

"Don't move. I don't want to hurt you but if you make any sudden movements, I have to put an arrow in your chest,"

Bonnie raised both hands slightly. "I just want to go downstairs to the basement and help Kol. He's probably having nightmares,"

Cruz backed away slowly and since things weren't moving fast enough, Bonnie thought to try a trick she had learned from Tyler. She had only tried it while in physical contact with a human but Bonnie was better attuned to people's auras than most vampires. This could work if she just focused in on his mind, taking her deeper than compulsion would.

She peered at him with an intensity that she soon learned he often gazed at her with, over the past five years. Once she penetrated his mind, she filled his thoughts with fantasies that were not far off from the reality of his emotions. The only thing she had to implant was that he would not hurt her, no matter what because deep down, he had no desire to. Similar to the way Stefan's emotions overrode Klaus's compulsion to attack Elena, his crush on Bonnie could likely do the same. He wanted to be her hero and protect her from the Mikaelson's in any way he could, that was already there so Bonnie just strengthened with a little finessing of the prospect he may stand a chance with her.

What a sweetheart, Bonnie thought. Unfortunately, he stood no chance because Kol would kill him if he knew the depths of his affection for her. Too bad she was already claimed by Kol, she felt Cruz would have been great to her. She pulled herself out of his mind before she delved any further, having a feeling she shouldn't cross over a certain threshold.

She clasped her hands together and rested them against her cheek in a pose that was a nonverbal plea. "I just want to check on Kol,"

Cruz nodded slowly. As soon as he lowered the crossbow, Bonnie zipped off to find Kol's coffin.

Watching him in the coffin, Bonnie's heart sank. She shook her head and a tear threatened to slip from the corner of her eye until she wiped it away. She hated seeing him like this and knowing his slumber was plagued by nightmares. It was why he'd attacked earlier, somehow being daggered accelerated the timeline of when the hunter's curse would take effect.

Bonnie placed a hand on his cheek and closed her eyes. As soon as she entered his mind, she felt the heat of a fire burning.

~Kol's nightmares~

The lengthy rope that was tied around Bonnie's waist slowly lowered her into the blazing well of eternal flames. Connor laughed as he spun the lever on the large spool, while Bonnie screamed from the flames that were so close licking at her ankles.

"She deserves to die! And so do you," the hunter yelled out.

There were only two options. Let Bonnie burn or kill her. It was a no-brainer for Kol, he would rescue her and he would contain his bloodlust, the curse couldn't possibly compel him to hurt her more than he already had. He would keep his resolve in this mental melee to ensure his beloved's refuge from the darkness that prevailed within his being.

He sped over to Connor and snapped his neck instantaneously. Bonnie's weight on the rope caused the spool to spin rapidly, nearly plummeting her into the fire until Kol grabbed hold of the ropes firmly as he could. Scorch marks were left on both of his hands as its descent was halted and compressed by his palms. He began pulling her up. When she finally reached him, he grabbed her in his arms and they fell back, away from the edge of the steep fire pit.

"Kol!" She whimpered and hugged his neck, embracing him tightly for comfort.

"I've got you, love," he whispered as the flames from the fire pit died out. For reasons he couldn't explain, he could smell Bonnie's blood and it was as tempting as human blood. No, he thought as he attempted to back away. Only Bonnie held onto him tightly. His fangs dropped and as much as he tried to fight it, Kol couldn't help but sink his fangs into her jugular. Silent tears of regret slipped out of the corner of his eyes as he drained the life out of her…

The setting changed then. Kol and Bonnie were walking in the woods. He recognized this scene, it was the day after Bonnie returned from her impromptu vacation.

~Sunday March 28, 2010~

Strolling through the woods with Kol, Bonnie still didn't understand what he saw in her that made him want her so bad.

"You seemed so very innocent," he said in an attempt to explain. "As if you didn't know the depth of both the beauty and power you wield,"

Bonnie blushed. "Little creepy when you put it that way,"

"Underneath all of that, you had typical human values, I surmise as much that they linger. The things you wanted in life are quite simple, correct?"

"I just wanted to keep my friend's safe and pro-"

"Let me repeat, underneath the protect insignificant lives at all cost determination you carry. What did you truly want in your mortal life?"

"I just wanted things to be simple," she said softly. "I wanted to grow up taking care of my Grams, have my own children one day and make sure I never leave them. I think, if I were to somehow have kids now, I'd fail them. I couldn't take that. Being a part of this shadow world, I wouldn't want to subject my little family to that," she looked up at him. "I even wanted to be a nurse. It's in my blood to take care of people. What about you? What did you want? Before all of this," she waved her hands between them.

Kol appeared deep in thought for a moment. "A beautiful woman to appease my loneliness. One for each night,"

Bonnie frowned. This conversation was steering towards a deeper territory, until Kol's admission. Great, I got chained with the shallow one as my sire. "You're really that greedy?"

"I consider my human days my generous days. I'd say my greed is in full effect now," he gave her a hungry look and stepped towards her, snaking his hands around her waist.

Bonnie's breath hitched. "Kol, you promised you wouldn't touch me,"

"You're incredibly tempting," he whispered.

"But you can keep your word,"

He swallowed and stepped back. "Yes. I can," he took her hand. "Let's continue to the falls,"

"I get the feeling you weren't joking about what you formerly wanted,"

"You are correct, I was dead serious," he replied with a wink.

"You must have been really lonely,"

"That's a well-kept secret. Can't have anyone thinking me a sap,"

"What was it that had you so lonely you'd resort to such a harem-like lifestyle?"

"Overlooked far too often from my family. I was most attached to my youngest brother Henrik. He died and my parent decided they wouldn't lose another child. In their endeavor to create our vampire species, I was, again, overlooked and nearly forgotten. My transition came last. You can imagine the effect that had on my young, impressionable psyche along with the pain of losing the closest one to me," he scoffed. "If you're wondering why I've been so impulsive, there's your answer. There's no way you'll be able to overlook me now, is there?" He gave her a penetrating stare.

"No," Bonnie shook her head slowly in agreement. "But even if that were possible, there's a lot of things about you that are etched into my brain,"

"For example?"

Bonnie grinned. "Like you don't know,"

"I know not what you speak of," Kol gave an innocent expression before it morphed into a sly smile.

"You really do need an ego stroke don't you?"

"I simply aim to understand your point of view,"

"Mhmm…"

Hand in hand they walked along the path until they came to the clearing at the edge of the cliff. Kol marveled at the sight of the waterfalls. "This beautiful scene gives me great peace," he said with a sigh. "The things I want now, they're very simple. As it was once for you. Yet, for a vampire, it's nearly impossible to achieve,"

~Kol's nightmares continued~

"Kol, you promised you wouldn't touch me," Bonnie reminded him as her breath hitched. Kol bared his fangs and shoved his fist through her chest, clutching her fast beating organ. Blood sputtered out of her mouth and she coughed it out.

"One way or another I will have your heart," he hissed before he yanked it out of her chest. Bonnie grunted and gurgled out more blood before she fell to the ground. Kol looked in horror at her heart in his hand and dropped it. His hands tangled in his hair, tugging on it desperately.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I WILL NOT HURT HER! THAT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION!" He sank down to the floor next to her lifeless body. "I just want to be worthy of her," he declared with a shaking sob.

The vampire hunter Connor appeared next to Kol. "But you aren't. And you never will be. You deserve to die,"

Sneering at him, Kol swiped the hunters head clear off. The dream changed again and suddenly Kol was standing next to his car on the side of the road. Bonnie stepped out from the other side of the car looking as beautiful as she did their very first and as of yet only date.

~Bonnie controlling the dreamscape~

This was painful to watch. Every dream Kol had was an absolute nightmare where he ended up slaughtering her. Bonnie figured this was due to a deeply embedded fear that he was truly undeserving of her. She intended to ease his mind about that. He was capable of selflessness and good deeds, she knew it when it was proven by his release of the sire bond.

"Kol, you don't deserve to die," Bonnie said as she approached him.

He scoffed. "Of course I do, I'm a monster,"

"No. Not when it comes to me. Your inner turmoil shows that. That's why you've tried to protect me and when that didn't work, you released me. That's the most selfless thing you could do and you don't know how much I appreciate it. I shunned you because I thought you were trying to control me but you couldn't be that way if you're willing to release me so I'll be safe. Even from you,"

Kol peered at her as if seeing her for the first time. Then he gasped. "You shouldn't be here,"

"I'm going to get you out of this nightmare. I know who the next hunter is, Kol,"

"You'd have to get him to kill a vampire,"

"I know. You've been protecting me. And I'm gonna protect you,"

Bonnie took him in her arms and embraced him. She could feel her soothing warmth penetrating his being as the dreamscape brightened to daylight. As he held her, she pulled herself from his mind, leaving him with a dream of them swaying to the soft music of Devil or Angel.

When Bonnie opened her eyes, she smelled fresh blood. The human guard Cruz was bleeding out on the floor.

"Cruz!" Bonnie rushed to his aid, biting into her wrist and pouring her blood into his mouth.

"Your mother requires your blood,"

Bonnie looked up and Elijah was standing before her. "You understand I had to make this believable to Niklaus that you tried to escape, attacking the unfortunate human," he crouched down. "Miss Bennett, I had hoped you and your mother would consider me a trusted ally. Did you really think I'd let this get back to Elena or the Salvatore's? Professor Shane, perhaps?"

"He didn't want anyone to come after me if they knew he was out of commission. You and Elena, Damon and his threats, Alaric's still on the loose,"

"I know. Kol will always protect his own, what he fails to understand is that his own includes each of us," he handed her an empty vial. "The Professor will be turned and we will know once and for all who the next hunter is,"

"It's Matt, I'm pretty sure Klaus is trying to get him to kill Damon as we speak,"

Elijah frowned and stood up, looking terribly concerned with what he was learning.

"I understand you and Elena have had your differences since you turned and as such have grown apart. However, I gave her my word that no harm will come to those she cares for as long as she no longer interferes in our collective… business," he pocketed his hand dramatically and rubbed his chin contemplatively. "Though she stands no chance at truly defeating us, she and the Salvatore's have been known to bring each of us Originals to our knees in some form or another. It had been made crystal clear that the retaliation will be great on both ends, should our dear ones come to into any harm,"

Bonnie scoffed. "That was when they had me. But I don't wish any of this shit on Elena, it's all very fucked up! And Klaus doesn't care!"

"With Damon out of the picture, the streets will likely stream with blood," he turned to Bonnie. "I think Shane would make the perfect replacement for Damon's vampire sacrifice. If you're willing to comply,"

"Shane will have no choice but to work with us about the cure," then her eyes widened. "Kol will just kill him!"

"Better he meet his demise than continue to conspire against us all,"

He twirled the vial in his hands, watching her expectantly.

"Or the boy. It's your choice,"

She looked at Cruz in horror. "No! He's too young, he shouldn't even be here,"

"You gave him your blood, Bonnie. His body is beyond healing, he will transition. Kol will spare him no mercy once he finds that out. Even as a vampire, you're a healer by nature, it's not something Kol is yet ready to comprehend, especially coming out of what may be nightmarish hallucinations and being daggered. But if you used your blood to turn a reluctant hostage who is disposable…"

Bonnie bit into her wrist and took the vial, filling it with her blood. "One day, Damon is going to pay for what he did. Not today, but one day," she murmured. Then she gestured to Cruz who was about to force out his last breath. Very quickly, she snapped his neck, to ease his suffering. "Give him Shane's human blood, for his transition. Send him somewhere safe. Please. And don't be mad at Abby, I asked her not to tell anybody,"

Elijah took the vial and just huffed. "You should get back to your quarters for the night," he hoisted the young lad's body up and flashed out.

Bonnie walked slowly to the room that Klaus had locked her in when she heard Sage and Finn enter the mansion. Shit! The whole Kol secret was going to unravel if they caught her out of her room. She zipped to the room and couldn't help but slam the door in her haste. A second later a tapping sounded at her door. She looked at the clock on the wall. The time read four thirty-eight AM.

She opened the door slowly. Finn and Sage stood on the other side of it, eyeing her curiously. "Either my memory fails me or you are supposed to be in the other room, under heavy guard because you've killed a vampire hunter," Finn said, looking down his nose at her.

"Compel it out of her," Sage urgently prompted.

Bonnie's eyes widened before she attempted to slam the door in his face, only his Original strength halted the door from closing.

AN: Soon Bonnie and Kol will be closer to being on the same page about their peculiar relationship as she begins to feel like it's genuinely authentic.

I like the idea of Jeremy haunting him because I think it creates a parallel to how unjust the whole sire bond thing was; I think Kol realizes that and tries to separate himself from that.

There is a brief flashback detailing some aspects of the day Bonnie spent with Kol the day after creating their mate bond. Which, of course, he had to ruin because boys are freaken dumb when it comes to girls

More will be revealed later, as well as her time away with Tyler. I just like doing flashbacks!

Please read, share, add comments/kudos let me know if you're enjoying! Any errors in grammar or continuity, I will correct as I read this back